Last week marked the last blood donation clinics in Sault Ste. Marie. Does this bother anyone else? The Sault Star’s Brian Kelly reported on Jan. 16 that the mobile clinics, run by Sudbury staff, would no longer be collecting whole blood in 11 Northeastern Ontario communities. This means that if Saultites want to donate blood, they are driving to Sudbury …
No use denying spectator sport passion
How do you handle sports stress? To be clear, I’m not referring to when you’re playing sports, but when you’re watching a game/match. I personally realize that I can definitely rule out a career as a professional poker player, as I have too many obvious physical reactions. Take Game 5 of the Soo Greyhounds’ playoff series against Owen Sound, for …
Sault is rich with women and men who care
Last month I attended a 100 Women Who Care meeting in Sault Ste. Marie. It was my first time as part of this amazing group of women, but it won’t be my last. The premise is simple: Gather 100-plus women, who each contribute $100 to a charity of the group’s choosing. And just like that, a local charity gets over …
No buses should spell no classes
This past Monday marked the third Monday, and the fourth day in 2019, that the school buses were cancelled due to weather. Reviewing the bus cancellations, first, Jan. 7 and Jan. 8 the buses didn’t run due to the amount of snow expected. Jan. 28 the buses were cancelled due to extreme cold. Feb. 4, buses were cancelled because of …
Super Bowl can still be a kick without drink
Ahh the Superbowl, it’s become so much more than the pinnacle game of NFL football. Now it’s also the half-time show, the commercials, the parties, the snacks, the drinks. What struck me while watching the Superbowl this year was that I was definitely in the minority without an alcoholic drink in my hand. Ever notice the way alcohol is part …
Black Friday deals welcomed, but not boorishness
Black Friday has somehow become a day that I love and hate at the same time. It’s like the pair of earrings that I didn’t know I needed, then I saw them, at a deal of a price, and then I had to have them, and I cursed the fact that suddenly I couldn’t live without them. Celebrated on the …
Flu shot helps more than recipient
To vaccinate or not to vaccinate? There is no question. Immunizations save lives. Period. The smallpox vaccination eradicated that disease completely. Hundreds of thousands of people died because of smallpox outbreaks and now no one needs to be vaccinated against it anymore. Similarly, I don’t think anyone could dispute the importance of childhood vaccination programs that have almost eradicated diseases …
Catching the Ace wouldn’t change life much
Catch the Ace fever is rampant in the Sault, and it’s hard not to get swept up in the excitement. I’m not a lottery player, but there are lessons to potentially draw from the experience. If you’ve been living under a rock in the Sault, the Esquire Club is running a charity raffle called “Catch the Ace.” People buy $5 …
Here’s how to get my vote
Since I’m now receiving robo-calls from political candidates, I guess it’s indeed that time again. Politicians, if you want my vote, here’s how to get it. Firstly, focus on issues that you can deliver on, not things that while they may be good ideas, are completely out of your mandate. (And if you do get elected, make sure you deliver …
Keep your eyes on the road
The Doors, Roadhouse Blues, lyrics read: “Keep your eyes on the road, your hands upon the wheel.” Who knew that Jim Morrison would be helping us to save $490? Considering the way the song lyrics devolve from there, Morrison wouldn’t be the best spokesperson for the Ministry of Transportation (even if he were alive), but regardless, even if you aren’t …